Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-25


"Down to Commercial. wharf. where
our vessel lies, was the unhesitating
answer ''My father is Captain Jethro
Flagg. and I'm Polly Flagg." contin-
ued Miss Polly. vaguely conscious that
some sort of Introduction was the
proper thing, under all the circum-
stances.
my nasns IS Tad-I mean Thaddeus
--Thorne, and I'm from Philadelphia, :"
said Tad, wishing that his jacket was
less threadbare and his shoes were
whole. as he glanced at the simple but
neat dress Of his companion, whose
face was completely overshadowed by
a deep calico sun-bonnct shaped like
the tilt of a market wagon.
"Ohv' returned Polly. and then. in
stead Of speaking Of the weather. or
asking Tad how he liked Boston, Polly
plunged hoadlong into personal ex-
planation: 1.-The cook wasn't well this
morning" she began. $50 had to go
10 market, for father was uptown. And
while / was hurrying back through
Lewis Lane, because il was nearer,
those horrid boys chased the poor little
dog that had got lost, and he ran TO
me so pitiful, said Polly, bending over
the small animal in her arms until It
was completely eclipsed by the sun
bonnet, ''that | caught him up, and
raid they shouldn't have him. Then
you came along, and-rm ever so
much obliged
The abrupt wind-up. though little
incoherent, was perfectly satisfactory
10 Tad.
Hell be nice little dog after he's
washed" Tod remarked, patting the
Pup 10 cover his embarrassment, for
Tad wasn't used TO thanks, particularly
from girls. ~ guess he's Newfound-
land, he continued, with knowing
glance at the animals ears and paws,
"and they're iirst-class water-dogs, you
know."
Polly nodded, and, after a short
pause, looked curiously at the hand.
some travelling saehel in Tad's hand.
"You don't belong to any of those
vessels?" she asked, inquiringly. Foi
they had crossed busy Commercial
street, and were walking along tn,
platform on the water front, where the
pedestrian looks down upon the bewil
toring maze of masts, spars and cord
age belonging 60 the coasting aud fish
ing craft huddled In the basin between
The two wharvcs.
NO" replied Tad. in low voice
He could not tell h,r that he belonged
10 nothing-tO no one, as he mentally
expressed It. II would make him seen
like a sort Of yagrant. youthful tramp
Nor did he-to Polly's secret disap.
pointment-account for his possession
of the handsome little travelling sachel,
with its silver mountings, at which
FOLLY had east admirin2 glances.
you can cone aboard, if you like"
she said; but Tad. who noticed her al
most imperceprible change Of manner
without being able 10 account for il,
shook his head.
"Oh, no, miss; / don't look 6t," he
replied, with glance at his shabby
clothes and patched shoes, that was pa
thetic. Il come down here" he con
tinued, simply, "becanse there wasn't
any other place whore could set down
aud look over the papers good-morn-
ing, miss" and before Polly could re-
Ply Tad was gone.
CHATTER ~
just astcrn Of the MARY j." a large
iron steamer was discharging her cargo
Of cotton bales, a dozen on more Of
WHICH were TERED up one upon an
other, at the verge Of the wharf.
Looking about him to make sure
that he WAS nnobselyed. lad scram-
bled up the back side OF the tier,
mud, crawling nimbly over the top,
dropped into a narrow niche betwean
two u the bales. where. well sheltered
from the wind. aud warmed by the sun,
he found thai without being ss0n
he could look directly down upon the
''Maiy J.k" deck.
Polly Eaeg had thrown aside her